Transposing device for piano accordions



Feb. 21, 1939.

F. KosTKA 2,148,206

TRANSPOSING DEVICE FOR PIANO ACCORDIONS.

Filed Feb. e, 1937 :4 sheets-sheet 1 F. KOSTKA Feb. 21, 1939.

TRANSPOSING DEVICE FOR PIANO ACCORDIONS Filed Feb. e, i937 4 shams-sheet 2 F. KOSTKA Feb. 2l, 1939.

TRANSPOSING DEVICE FOR PIANO ACCORDIONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 6, 1937 F. KOSTKA Feb. 21, 1939.

TRANSPOSING DEVICE FOR PIANO ACCORDIONS Filed Feb. 6, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 .W .mm M

Patented Feb. 21, 1939 PATENT OFFICE TRANSPOSING DEVICE FOR PIANO ACCORDIONS Frank Kostka, Bualo, N. Y. Application February 6, 1937, Serial No. 124,448

3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to certain new and useful improvements in musical instruments, but more particularly to a transposing device for accordions and the like.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a simple and convenient mechanism whereby the player of a piano accordion or like instrument may easily and accurately effect a key transposition, thereby increasing the musical range and capacity of tone production of such instruments to a much greater degree than is possible without such mechanism.

Other objects of my invention will be set forth in the following description and drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof, it being understood that I may make such changes as I may deem necessary from time to time without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a piano accordion embodying my invention. Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 2 2, Figure l. Figures 3 and 4 are fragmentary horizontal sections taken substantially on the correspondingly-numbered lines in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view, partly in section, of the reed-frame unit and associated parts.

Like characters ofv reference indicate corresponding parts in the different views.

For many reasons it is desirable that transposition of key be made available to a player on such a musical instrument without the necessity for his having to make such transposition mentally. For instance, an accordion player might wish to play a duet with a piano, the pitch of which is slightly higher or lower than that of his accordion. If such player were very skilled he might be able to make the necessary transposition by means of his mental ability. My invention relieves him from such a necessity. By its operation as hereinafter described, the unskilled as well as the skilled can secure an alteration to a higher or lower key and still play from the written music as originally written.

Referring now to the drawings, the instrument generally comprises a treble side I having the usual keys ii, a bass side i2, and a bellows I3.

The standard reed carrier of the treble side of the piano accordion consists of a case or frame of wood or other suitable material containing four reed boxes or chambered blocks I5, each block having a series of openings I 5 and a second series oi companion openings Il. The reeds I8 associated with corresponding companion pairs of openings ifi and I'I and the keys II are connected to companion valves I9 of the usual type and each of such valves controls the supply of air to one or more reeds. In the drawings,

each valve is shown as controlling companion openings IE, II of a pair of adjoining reed blocks.

My device necessitates for its successful operation a re--arrangement of the reeds from the standard arrangement. To this end, the reed blocks I5 are attached in their usual spaced, parallel relation to adjustable frames or yokes 20, 2| adapted to move lengthwise within the case I4. These frames are secured adjacent the ends of the several reed blocks to tie them as a complete unit, the frame 20 extending over the ends of the reed blocks and terminating at its opposite ends in guide arms 22 guided on suitable tracks or ways 23 secured to the opposing side walls of the case I4. The companion tie-frame 2l extends over the bottom sides of the reed blocks and have similar guide arms 24 guided on like tracks 25. By this tie-frame and guiding structure, the reed blocks are eectually and as a complete unit against lateral motion .and vibration to assure their longitudinal adjustment when desired in accordance with my invention. For a purpose which will hereinafter appear, the reed blocks are of a length to provide for additional reeds over those normally respectively, and being adapted, at different positions of adjustment of the reed blocks, to register or not register with the companion endmost openings I6, I'I.

The longitudinal adjustment of the reed-frame unit is eifected by means of a screw 26 supported at its knobbed end 2'1 in the end wall of the case I4 while its threaded end engages an internally-threaded collar or nut 28 applied to the adjoining reed-carrying frame 2U. The rotation of this screw by the operator causes the reed frame unit to slide longitudinally in the case, thereby altering the relation between the respective reeds I8 and the valves I9 to thereby eiect the desired transposition.

By preference, a dial 29 is located at the same end of the case I4 as the screw 26, and traversing this dial is a pointer 30 operatively connected by a reduction gear train 3| to the adjusting screw, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5, permitting the operator to see at a glance the amount of rotation needed to bring the reed frame to position for the pitch or key desired.

As heretofore explained, the depression by the player of the player-keys actuates through intermediate levers the raising of the valves I9 and the consequent production of tones through the reeds below. These valves are arranged in two parallel rows as shown in Figures l and 2, each row of valves controlling companion pairs of openings I5, I'I, and associated reeds I8.

The exact relationship between the player keys, the actuating levers and the valves to the notes is of comparatively little moment in the standard accordion. In my invention, to secure the advantages of my transposing mechanism, this relationship is of great importance. It is essential to secure an effective transposition of key that the set-up between the player-keys, the actuating levers, the valves and the reeds cov. ered thereby be exactly as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4.

To illustrate what I mean, I take one complete scale with its proper half-notes for illustration, it being understood that the same rule applies to the whole key-operated mechanism and the octaves covered by it. The white player-key C natural shown in the center of the key-board connects directly through the lever andcompanion valve I9 with theYreed-set of 4 reeds nearest tothe keyboard. The black key C Sharp next to it connects directly with the reed-set of 4 reeds farthest from the keyboard. The white key D natural connects with the set nearest the key board, the black key D sharp with the set farthest from the` key board, the white key E natural with the set nearest the keyboard; the

' white key F natural with the set farthest from the key-board; the black key F sharp with the set nearest the key-board; the white key G natural with the set farthest from the keyboard; the black key G sharp with the set nearest the keyboard; the white Ykey A natural with the set `farthest from the keyboard; the black key A sharp with the set nearest the keyboard; the white key B natural with the set farthest from the key-board and the white key C natural, which Vcompletes the full octave, connects directly with the set nearest to the keyboard. No other arrangement wl permit the correct production of tone when my transposing device is operated.

To insure at all times correct tone production and prevent the player keys at either end of the keyboard failing to produce the proper note, I add to eachof my reed blocks as previously described, the additional reeds l-a, I8b giving the next whole tone lower or higher as the case requires.

Thus normally, A natural, indicated by the playing key Ha, is the highest note. onY the key board and the corresponding endmost reeds I8 are actuated by it and the companion valve I9. When the reed frame unit is adjusted to the right, viewing Figure 3, through the medium of the adjusting screw 26, the adjoining extra reeds E81 are brought into register with the companion openings i6, l1 and valve I9 associated with said playing key lia to thereby effect the proper or desired transposition. When the reed unit is adjusted to the left, the eXtra reeds H8@ at the right hand end. of the reed blocks register with the companion end-most openings and valve and thereby the desired transposition for such adjustment is effected. By adjusting the screw 2S so that the indicator registers with, say No. 1 on the dial 29, the instrument will play in the natural key; by adjusting the screw so that the indicator registers with No. 2 on the dial, the reed blocks will be accordingly shifted and the instrument will play, say in the key of D; and when the indicator is turned to register with No. 3 on the dial, the reed blocks will be shifted in the reverse direction and the instrument will play, say in the key of B flat.

It is understood that the letters A, A sharp,

said guide means, one

G, G sharp, etc., indicating corresponding musical notes, shown on the playing keys, are only placed thereon for clarity.

I claim as my invention:

l. An accordion, comprising a case having a key-board section and a reed-block section, a

plurality of reed blocks arranged within said openings corresponding in number to the keys v and control valves andA additional reeds and openings at the opposite ends thereof adapted'to be rendered operable in predetermined adjusted positions of the blocks, guides for the reed blocks adjacent opposite ends of said case, the yokes connecting said blocks asa unit and engaging of said tie yokes being disposed at one end of the reed blocks and the other yoke being disposed adjacent the opposite end of the reed blocks, an adjusting screw supported in one end of said case and in threaded connection with the adjoining tie yoke for adjusting the reed blocks lengthwise of said case and relative to said valves, a dial applied to the screw-supporting end of the case, and a pointer connected to the screw to turn therewith in traversing relation to said dial.

2. An accordion, comprising a case having a key-board, reed blocks disposed in longitudinal rows side by side longitudinally of the key-board and guided on said case for unitary transposing adjustment lengthwise thereof,keyoperated control valves connected to the respective keys of the key-board for controlling the reeds of said rows of reed blocks, the note keys C, D, E, Ft?, G#

and A# of each octave-scale being connected to the companion successive valves in one row of reed blocks and the alternate note keys Cit, Dit, F, G, A and B of each octave-scale being connected to the companion successive valves in the other row of reed blocks, and means operatively connected to said reed blocks for adjusting them as a unit in opposite directions relative to said valves to effect the desired transposition.

3. An accordion, comprising a case having a key-board, reed blocks disposed in longitudinal rows side by side longitudinally of the key-board and guided on said case for unitary transposing adjustment lengthwise thereof, key-operated control valves connected to the respective keys of the key-board for controlling the reeds of said rows of reed blocks, each of said reed blocks having a series of reeds corresponding in number to the control valves and additional reeds at the opposite ends thereof rendered operative in predetermined adjusted transposed positions of the blocks, the note keys C, D, E, Fit, G# and A# of each octave-scale being connected to the companion successive valves in one row of reed blocks and the alternate note keys Cif, Dit, F, G, A and B of each octave-scale being connected to the companion successive valves in the other row of reed blocks, and means operatively connected to said reed blocks for adjusting them as a unit in opposite directions relative to said valves to effect the desired transposition.

FRANK KOSTKA. 

